Photographic machine



Sept. 1, 1964 s. c. YOUNG 3,146,661

PHOTOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed April 20, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 FYGJ F1602INVENTOR.

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PHOTOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed April 20, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 S. C. YOUNGPHOTOGRAPHIC MACHINE Sept. 1, 1964 Filed April 20, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR.

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Sept. 1, 1964 s. c. YOUNG 3,146,661

PHOTOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed April 20, 1959 Q 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept.1,1964' I S.C.YQUNG 3,146,661

PHOTOQRAPHIC MACHINE Filed April 20, 1959 a Sheets-Sheet 8 344 FIG, 24-

M ENT OR. Stan/a ayozmy BY fM United States Patent 3,146,661PHOTOGRAPHIC MACHINE Stanley C. Young, Chicago, Ill, assignor to VerneMartin, .lia, Paris, (Dntarie, Canada Filed Apr. 20, 1959, Ser. No.807,657 8 Claims. ((Il. 88-24) This invention relates to a multi-purposephotographic machine and more particularly to a photographic machine inwhich the projected image of an object is maintained in continuous sharpfocus on an image plane, while the magnification of the image is changedincluding changes from positive to negative values, and vice versa.

Photographic machines designed either for work involving positivemagnifications (the image size greater than the object size), ornegative magnifications (the image size smaller than the object size),have been constructed to operate so that the projected image isautomatically maintained in sharp focus on the image plane while themagnification is being varied. This has been done by connecting the lensand the image plane together by a suitable linkage system. Such machineswould be more useful if the projected image could be kept in sharp focuson the image plane while the magnification is changed from positive tonegative values.

The difiiculty in providing an automatically focusing linkage systemwhich satisfies these requirements is that in going, for example, frompositive to negative magnifications, the image plane first has to followthe lens as they both move toward the object plane (although it isunderstood that the separation of the lens and the image wouldincrease). This movement continues until the lens moves past unitymagnification and into the range of negative magnification, which occurswhen the lens moves past the point where the distance from the objectplane to the lens equals the distance of the image plane to the lens.

After this, any continued movement of the lens toward the object planerequires the image plane to move in the opposite direction (away fromthe lens and the object plane) in order to maintain the projected imagein sharp focus on the image plane. Since the necessary movement of theimage plane with respect to the lens is inherently complex, because ofthe optical laws involved, it is apparent that a mechanical linkagewhich also has to accommodate a reverse complex movement by the imageplane would be prohibitively expensive.

It has been noted, however, that if the optical system of a photographicmachine is constructed so the lens is fixed and the image plane and theobject plane are movable with respect to the lens and to each other,then a linkage system can be connected between the object and imageplanes which is substantially more economical to manufacture than theabove described linkage system, and which keeps the projected image infocus on the image plane as the magnification changes from positive tonegative values.

It would also be useful from the standpoint of simplicity to provide alinkage connection between the image planeand the object plane in aphotographic machine, in which the image plane can keep the projectedimage in sharp focus by continually following the object plane, as themagnification of the projected image changes from positive to negativevalues.

Another problem connected with the prior photographic machines using theconventional bellows mounting for the lens, was that the image of theobject was projected onto the inner surface of a ground glass screen,and the image could be seen through the outer surface of the screen. Incomposition work, it is often necessary to see how variousmagnifications of a projected image would appear on a layout. Since thelayout is initially drawn 3,146,561 Patented Sept. 1, 1964 on opaquepaper, it was previously necessary to go to the time and expense oftransferring the layout to translucent paper, so that when the recopiedtranslucent layout was placed on the outer surface of the ground glassscreen, the projected image directed against the inner surface of thescreen would appear superimposed on the layout.

It is clear that if the step of recopying the layout were eliminated,there could be a substantial saving in the time and cost of thecomposition work. What is needed, therefore is a photographic machinewhich is particularly useful for composition work and wherein the layoutdrawn on opaque paper can be used as a screen and placed on the imageplane of the photographic machine so that various magnifications of theimage on the image plane will appear superimposed on the layout forconvenient inspection.

In prior photographic machines, uniform illumination of the object whoseimage was to be projected, was necessary if the quality of thereproduction was to be satisfactory. To provide this uniformillumination, the flood lights were mounted on the end of long supportarms, which were attached to each side of the machine. The flood lightson these arms were directed against the object plane of the machine. Ifthe arms were sufficiently long, this arrangement could produceillumination of satisfactory uniformity, but it required thephotographic machine to be installed in a room which had space enough toaccommodate the long arms. When sufficient space was not available, theuniformity of the illumination on the object plane was affected, andthis adversely affected the quality of the projected image. In view ofthese considerations, it is apparent that a device both for supportingan object whose image is to be projected, and for compactly providinguniform illumination for the object would overcome the difficultiesencountered in the prior machines.

It is desirable, both for reasons of economy and for speed of operation,that the photographic machine have a large quantity of film orsensitized paper, preferably in the form of a roll, stored inside.Furthermore, flexibility of operation requires that different lengths offilm or paper be out according to need. These requirements arecomplicated by the necessity that the film, because of its lightsensitive properties, be cut to the desired length and centered in themachine, in the absence of visual observation.

What is needed therefore is a photographic machine having a roll of filmor light sensitive paper stored therein, and which is provided withmeans for cutting a predetermined length of film or sensitized paper offthe roll and for centering the film in the machine in the absence ofvisual observation.

The rolls of film or sensitized paper, hereafter referred to as film,used in these machines are rather heavy. Despite their weight, it isnecessary that the film unroll easily so that various lengths of filmmay be cut from it. Furthermore, the roll of film and the photographicmachine must be designed so that the roll can be easily and quicklyinstalled in the machine. These requirements are not easy to satisfyeconomically because of the size and weight of the roll of film, but itis evident that the satisfaction of these requirements would beeconomically desirable.

It is also desirable to design photographic machines so they may be usedfor a variety of photographic processes, and one of these processesshould include the well known transfer fusion process because it lendsitself to a variety of commercial purposes. Until now, however, use ofthis process has been largely restricted to duplicating letters ordrawings. In these machines, the letter or drawing is placed in directcontact with the sensitized surface of the negative sheet and theexposure on the negative sheet is made from light reflected from thesurface of the letter or drawing, in a manner Well known in the art. Thefact that the light which forms the image on the negative sheet is notdirect, but instead is reflected from the surface of the letter ordrawing, has an adverse affect on the quality of the reproduction. Thisrenders the transfer fusion process as employed in these machinesunsatisfactory for many purposes.

1 Another factor affecting the quality of the reproduction of themachines using the transfer fusion process is that the negative sheetand the combined sheet are fed through the developing solution by handfor a portion of their travel, and if the feed rate is uneven, the linesbeing reproduced have a tendency to become wider or heavier. So long asthe material being reproduced was not reduced in size, the reproductionwas usually legible, so that this effect was not important, but if thereproduction is to be used for subsequent reproduction in graphic arts,optimum quality is essential and this effect could cause the initialreproduction to become unsatisfactory for this purpose.

In some cameras the transfer fusion process is employed and the image ofthe object being photographed is focused directly on the negative sheet,so that the image is sharper and the use of the bellows permits positiveor negative magnification. However, the objection to employing thegeneral techniques used in this camera on commercial photographicmachines is that such cameras do not permit any convenient variation inthe size of the prints.

Furthermore such cameras are inflexible in operation,

in that the combined or positive sheets are an integral part of thefilm. This is objectionable because it is often necessary in commercialmachines to produce one print on glossy paper and the next print onmatt, etc., and in the camera described above, to change the quality ofthe print, it would be necessary to entirely remove the film. The sameobjection would be encountered when it is desired to vary the contrastof the print. What is needed for a more successful commercialutilization of the transfer fusion process is a photographic machinewhich can use the transfer fusion process in such a way that the imageof the object being reproduced is projected directly on the negativesheet so that magnification is possible, and in which the combinedsheets are completely separate from the negative sheets so that theprint quality and contrast can be changed from print to print by simplychanging the combined sheets.

' It is also desirable to provide a mechanism for automatically feedingthe negative sheet and the combined sheet through the developingsolution in synchronization so that they may pass through the combiningrollers to gether and at a uniform rate.

It is further apparent that a photographic machine in which all of thefactors controlling exposure are consolidated, so that correct exposuresmay be achieved at all magnifications without resort to charts and databooks, could be operated more simply by less highly skilled personnel,and accordingly would be more economical to use. As stated above, aphotographic machine which can selectively use a plurality ofphotographic processes has great utility. In that respect, if one of thephotographic processes uses a half tone screen, it would be particularlyuseful to design a photographic machine so that the half tone negativescould be produced without the necessity of a dark room, and so the'halftone screen could be positioned in the machine in accordance with themagnification of the projected image.

Oneobject of this invention, therefore, is to provide a photographicmachine which among other things incorporates the above mentionedattractive features.

Other objects of this invention will become more apparent when read inthe light of the specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 discloses a side elevational view of a photographic machineembodying the invention.

FIG. 2 discloses a front elevational view of the machine shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 discloses a plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side sectional view of a portion of the machine.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8a. is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but with the sideguideway, the knife, and the push fingers omitted.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-10 of FIG. 8.

' FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the image table showingparticular details of the push fingers and latch. FIG. 12 is a sectionalview taken on the line I2I2 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line I313 of FIG. 2, theperipheral cross hatching being omitted for clarity.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line I4.l4

of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the cable system used for controlling theoperation of the pushing fingers.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the enclosure for the roll of film.

FIG. 17 is a portion of a front sectional view of the enclosure for thefilm.

FIG. 18 is a portion of a front sectional View of a package containing aroll of film, with side bearing members being forced into the sides ofthe package.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the package containing a roll offilm with the flap opened and a portion of the film leader extendingout.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the lens of the device showing the Watermanstop disk in operative position.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the lens of the device showing the operationof the shutter.

FIG. 22 is a plan View of the halftone cam disk mounted beneath theeasel table showing the actuating rod attached thereto.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the easel tableshowing the action of the cam disk on the pins which control theposition of the half tone screen.

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of one of the inner' marginalflanges, showing its raised position in dotted lines.

FIG. 25 shows a side elevational view of the cam disk with the actuatingrod riding on the surface of an upwardly inclined cam rod. 7

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the photographic machine,indicated generally by the reference numeral 1d, comprises a supportincluding a housing 12 mounted on a base 14. The housing includes frontand rear walls 16 and I8, and side walls 20 and 22, see FIG.

2. An optical system, as described below, is mounted on a verticallydisposed guide groove 30 formed in the front surface 16 of the housing,see FIG. 6.

A combined locking and reinforcing plate 32 is mounted on front wall 16,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. This plate This table is mounted on frontwall 16 of the is provided with a slot 34 which is wide enough to permitthe bearing lugs 26 to move vertically therein, but which is too narrowto permit the roller guide wheels 28 journalled on the lugs 26 fromleaving the guide grooves. This arrangement permits table 24 to moveeasily in a vertical direction, but at the same time, it holds table 24on the front wall of the housing in a stable horizontal position. It isto be understood, however, that the precise arrangement for mountingtable 24 on housing 12 is not critical, and any convenient arrangementmay be used.

Sheaves or pulley wheels 38, 40 and 42 are mounted on the top wall 44 ofthe housing, as shown in FIG. 13. A first cable 46 is connected at oneend to table 24 and passing over sheaves 38, 46 and 42, is connected atthe other end to a table counter weight 48, to permit table 24 to beeasily raised and lowered, see FIGS. 5 and 6.

A vertically disposed shaft 50 is rotatably mounted by any conventionalmeans between the top wall 44 and support plate 52 on top of thehousing. As seen in FIG. 14, plate 52 is held in spaced parallelrelationship to top wall 56 by means of spacers 54. An electric motor 56mounted on top wall 44 by any conventional means is connected to shaft50 to permit rotation of the shaft in either direction. The speed ofshaft 50 may be controlled by means of conventional gearing (not shown).Spiral-like cam sheaves 58 and 60 are rigidly mounted on the shaft 50for rotation therewith. A second cable 62 is connected at one end to anadjustable screw (not shown) but which is mounted inside table 24 forreasons to be described below. From the adjustable screw, cable 62extends upwardly and passing over a sheave 64, is mounted in the groovesof the spiral-like cam sheave 60, see FIGS. 6 and 13. With thisarrangement, when motor 56 is operated, cam sheave 60 rotates, and cable62 is either wound or unwound on the cam sheave 69, causing table 24 tobe raised or lowered, depending on the direction of rotation of shaft50.

The optical system further includes an easel or image table 66 having asupporting surface 67 constituting the image plane, and which is mountedinside the housing 12 for vertical movement therein, see FIG. 5. As seenin FIG. 6, the easel table is rectangular in shape, and its sidesareclosely adjacent to the front and rear walls 16 and 18 of the housing12. It is to be understood, however, that the shape of the table is notcritical, and others are contemplated.

As described in connection with table 24, table 66 is provided with atleast one vertically disposed bearing lug 68 for supporting rollers 74which are journalled thereon, see FIG. 6. The lugs 68 and rollers 70ride in a guide groove '72 formed on the inner surface of the front wall16 of the housing, and a slotted combined locking and reinforcing plate74 is mounted on the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the housingto permit table 66 to be moved in a vertical direction, but at the sametime, this combined plate 74 holds table 66 on the front wall of thehousing, just as plate 32 holds table 24 there.

Sheaves 74, 76 and 78 are mounted on the top wall of the housing, asshown in FIG. 13. A cable 80 is connected at one end to the easel orimage table 66 and passing over sheaves 74, 76 and 78, the cable isconnected at the other end to the easel table counterweight 81, topermit the easel table to be raised or lowered easily.

An additional cable 82 is connected at one end to lug 68, see FIG. 6 andpassing over sheave 84, see FIG. 13, is wound around a spiral-like camsheave 58 in such a way that when shaft 56 rotates so cable 82 is woundon cam sheave 58, cable 62 is unwound on cam sheave 60. In other words,when table 24 moves up, table 66 always moves down, and vice versa. Inthis way cables 62 and 82,, sheaves 64 and 84, and the spiral-like camsheaves 58 and 60 constitute a mechanical transmission or linkage systembetween tables 24 and 66.

A cover 83 is removably mounted on the top of the housing 12 to enclosethe cam sheaves and the other G mechanisms positioned there and protectthem from dust or the corrosive effects of moisture, see FIGS. 1, 2, 3and 5.

A circular opening 86 is formed in the central portion of the front Wall16 of the housing, see FIG. 5. A cylindrical tubular lens barrel 89 isfixed in this opening by any conventional means (not shown). Aphotographic lens 88, having a predetermined focal length is mountedinside this barrel as shown. Fixed mirrors 90 and 92 are mounted on thehousing to provide a compact folded light path from table 24 throughlens 88 and on to table 66. It is evident that an additional imagereversing mirror may be added, if desired, to satisfy photographicrequirements. As seen in FIG. 5, the light path is substantiallyU-shaped, arid this shape has special advantages, as described below.

If an object is placed on table 24, its image will be sharply projectedon table 66 provided that table 66 is positioned in the housing so thatthe sum of the reciprocal of the distance of table 24 to lens 88 and thereciprocal of the distance of table 66 to lens 88 equals the reciprocalof the focal length of the lens. If the projected image of the object isto be in sharp focus on the table 66 for any position of table 24, thentable 24 and table 66 must be connected together so they move so theabove described mathematical relationship is always satisfied. This iswhat determines the size and shape of each of the spiral-like camsheaves 58 and 60. The magnification of an optical system like this isequal to the ratio of the distance of the table 66 to lens 88 to thedistance of table 24 to the lens 3-3. Consequently, if the spiral-likecam sheaves are chosen as described above, the image of the object willalways be sharply projected on table 66, and the movements of table 24and table 66 provide a convenient means for adjusting the magnificationof the image, while keeping the image sharply focused.

As stated above, some prior photographic machines had movable lenseswhich were coupled to the image plane so that the projected image wasalways in automatic focus on the image plane, but these machinesgenerally operated in the range of positive or negative magnifications,but not in both. This was because with the conventional lens system andits movably mounted lens, the automatic focusing mechanism would have tobe designed to permit the previously described reverse movement byeither the image plane or the object plane and such a mechanism would beeconomically prohibitive.

In the optical system employed in this photographic machine, the lens ismounted in a fixed position, while the object and image planes onsurfaces 25 and 67 of tables 2.4 and 66 respectively, are movable withrespect to each other and to the lens. With this arrangement as table 66is moved up toward lens 88, as the magnification is decreased, table 24must move down away from lens 88 to keep the projected image in focus.The same situation will prevail even if table 66 is raised to a pointbeyond where the magnificaton is unity and becomes negative. Sine theabove described reverse movement of either the object or image planes,relative to the lens, does not occur, the tables 66 and 24 can becoupled together so that one always follows the other during increasingor decreasing magnification, in either positive or negative manificationranges. In other words, when table 24 moves up, table 66 always movesdown, and vice versa, and the situation never occurs that when table 24moves up, table 66 must also move up to keep the projected image infocus.

For this reason, it is possible to use the above described simple andeconomically attractive spiral-like cam sheave linkage system. It is tobe understood, however, that other linkage systems besides. ones usingcams, or their equivalents, are possible, e.g. an electronic system, andthe claims should be construed accordingly. It is also noted that withthe lens mounted in a fixed position, the projection system shown inFIG. 5 lends itself well to a U-shaped optical path, both because thephotographic machine can be smaller and more compact and because all thecables movements are primarily vertical and are consequently easier tohandle.

As seen in FIG. 1, an opening 94 is formed in wall 26 of the housing.This opening extends substantially the length of the wall. An opaquecurtain 96, which in appearance resembles a window shade, is mounted soits upper end is on a roller mounted on the upper portion of wall 20.This curtain or shade 96 functions as a closure or a door and its lowerend is adapted to be releasably secured to table 66 to render theinterior of the housing above table 66 opaque to all light except thatcoming through the lens 88. With this arrangement, regardless of theposition of the image plane on table 66, and hence the magnitude of theportion of opening 94 above table 66, the curtain 96 can beclosed overthis portion of the opening to maintain the interior of housing 12 in alight tight condition when the machine is being used.

The access to the image plane or surface 67 provided by curtain 96 isextremely important. First of all it permits inspection of the image ontable 66 to determine if it is in sharp focus. This is necessary becausethe thickness of the object on table 24 may be sufficient to affect thesharpness of the projected image. In addition, as stated above, thisarrangement permits the use of a layout drawn on opaque paper as ascreen in composition work. In this way various magnifications ofprojected images of copy or other material can be superimposed on thelayout for purposes of inspection.

This present apparatus eleminates the time consuming and costly step ofredrawing the layout on transparent or translucent paper, which wasnecessary when prior photographic machines were used. With this machine,it is only necessary to place the layout on the surface 67 of table 66,and the magnifications of the copy can be adjusted to satisfy artisticor space requirements.

As seen in FIG. 1 an adjusting knob and pointer 63 cooperates with ascale 65 on the side of table 24. This knob is connected by anyconventional means (not shown) to the screw inside table 24 to which thelower end of cable 62 is attached. When rotated, knob and pointer 63causes this screw to rotate and this effectively increases or decreasesthe length of cable 62. This permits table 24 to move while table 66remains stationary, and it is used when the object whose image is beingprojected has appreciable thickness. For example, if the object beingphotographed or reproduced is a page in a thick book, the book is openedto this page and is placed on surface 25 of table 24. Then knob andpointer 63 are rotated increasing the length of cable 62 and permittingtable 24 to move downwardly a distance equal to the thickness of thebook below the page being photographed. Then A solenoid 108 is alsoconnected between shutter 98 and a portion 110 of the inner surface ofthe front wall. This solenoid, when energized, draws the shutter awayfrom lens 88 so its edge 101 contacts stop pin 102. It is evident thatafter the solenoid is no longer energized, the coil spring 104 pivotsthe shutter back to its lens closing position. Shutter 98 may bemanually held in the lens open or dotted line position by attachingaconventional knob to its pivot shaft, or more practically, by simplyenergizing solenoid 168 for that purpose.

When the machine is used for photographic purposes, the shutter isneeded for opening and closing the lens 88, so that the period ofexposure of the light sensitive film in the machine can be regulated.The necessary exposure period for the film is among other things afunction of the magnification of the image, and as the size of the imageincreases the exposure time of the film must also increase. Thisrequires a timing device for controlling the period of exposure, bycontrolling the time the shutter 98 is held against stop pin 162 in itslight admitting lens open position.

This apparatus was designed to be operated rapidly and easily andsimply, so that highly skilled operators will not be necessary. In thisconnection, the linkage between the object table and the image tablekeeps the projected image always in focus on the image plane 67 on table66, regardless of its magnification. To further simplify the operationof the machine, it is desirable to provide a timing device which isautomatically controlled by the magnification of the projected image sothat there are no reference charts to consult, and, for a givenphotographic process, the timer never has to be set by the operator.

As seen in FIG. 13, a suitable timing device for shutter 98 comprises apinion gear 112 which is rigidly secured v to the top of shaft 50. Arack bar 114 is mounted in the projected image will be in sharp focus onsurface 67 p and it will remain in sharp focus during allmagnifications. When the work is completed table 24 is returned to itsinitial position by rotating knob and pointer 63 until it again pointsto the indicia on scale 65 to which it pointed initially. v M

A suitable shutter 98, formed for example from thin opaque sheetmaterial, is pivotally mounted on a shaft secured to the inner surfaceof front wall 16, see FIG. 21. As seen, the shutter is movable betweenstop pins 106 and 102 secured to the inner surface of the front wall 16.When the edge 99 of shutter 98 engages stop pin 1%, no light can passthrough lens 88, and the shutter may be described as being in a lensclosing position. When the edge 101 of shutter 88 engages stop pin 102,the lens 88 is entirely unobstructed and the shutter may be described asbeing in a lens open position. A coil spring 104 is connected betweenthe shutter 98 and a fixed pin 106 extending out from wall 16 to keepthe edge 99 of the shutter in engagement with stop pin 104). This keepsthe shutter in a position where light is normally prevented from passingthrough the lens.

the guideways (not shown) for linear horizontal movement. The teeth onthis rack bar mesh with the teeth on the pinion gear 112. Since therotative position of shaft 56 is determined by the position of tables 24and 66, and hence by the magnification of the projected image on theimage plane 67, the position of the end 116 or" rack bar 114 will alsobe determined by the magnification of the projected image.

A contact arm 117 is mounted on the opposite end of rack bar 112. Thiscontact arm is adapted to engage the actuating arms of limit switches121' and 123 to limit the travel of tables 24 and 66. These limitswitches are connected to motor 56 by appropriate conventional circuitry(not shown), and when their actuating arms are engaged by contact arm117, the power to motor 56 will be cut off insofar as further movementof the tables in the same direction is concerned. However, as describedbelow, the motor will be able to operate in a reverse direction toreverse the movement of these tables.

A switch 118 is mounted on the end 116 of rack bar 114, and a cam ridingwheel 120 is rigidly secured to the actuating arm 119 of the switch, seeFIG. 14. A motor 122 is mounted on the upper housing wall 44 with itsshaft 124 extending vertically upwards. horizontally disposed disk 126is removably mounted by any conventional means on the end of shaft 124,and this disk is rotated by motor 122. A horizontally disposed andraised cam plate 128 is removably mounted on disk 126, see- FIG. 13. Asseen, the edges of cam plate 128 diverge as they approach the peripheryof the disk. 7

Motor 122, when operating, rotates disk 126 at a constant speed. Thefollower wheel 121 is positioned so it rolls on the surface of thisdisk, and when the follower wheel 120 encounters the cam plate 128, itis raised vertically as it rides over its top surface. This movementcloses switch 118. Switch 118 is connected to solenoid 108 by aconventional circuit (not shown), and while Q. the switch is closed, thesolenoid is energized to move the shutter 98 to its light admittingposition.

As stated above, the position of the end 116 of rack bar 114 is afunction of the position of table 65 or the magnification of theprojected image on its image plane 67. Consequently the radial distanceof the end 116 of the rack bar 114 and follower wheel 12th from the axisof disk 126 also is a function of the magnification of the projectedimage. Since each magnification requires a different period of exposure,the distance between the opposite edges 139 and 132 for each radialdistance of the follower wheel from the axis of disk 126 must be suchthat when the disk is rotating at a predetermined constant speed, theroller wheel will ride on the upper surface of cam plate 128 for theprecise period of time that the shutter 98 must be in an open position,for the correct exposure. This is what determines the shape of the camsurface 128.

It is evident that if the lens 88 is changed, the shape of cam surface128 must also be changed. Furthermore, the above described cam disk issuitable only for a particular photo-graphic process during standardizedoperating conditions, and when the photographic process is changed, thenecessary exposure time is affected so that the cam plate 128 must bechanged accordingly.

As stated above, each cam plate 128, mounted on disk 126, is associatedwith a particular photographic process operating under standardizedconditions. In practice, however, these conditions frequently varybecause of changes in the sensitivity of the film, or with the age andcomposition of the developing solution, or because of changes intemperature. For that reason means must be provided to compensate thephotographic machine for the changed effectiveness of these components.This can be done by varying the stop of the lens 88.

In conventional photographic devices, this is done by the usualadjustable diaphragm. The objection to the use of such a device is thatduring composition work it is necessary to open the stop of the lenscompletely to permit a maximum amount of light to pass through the lensto brighten the image on table 66 so it can be inspected easily. Thenfor actual photographic operation, the lens aperture must be stoppeddown again. This offers a chance for error since the stop requirementsvary, as described above, with the age of the developing solution,temperature, etc., and when the stop is opened, for the reasonsdescribed, it must be set back to its original position before thephotograph or reproduction is to be made. It is evident that errors mayarise in performing these operations due to the operator forgetting theproper stop setting or due to an accidental setting of the stop. Thiswould lead to incorrect film exposure and it would adversely affect thequality of the work. Besides this, the conventional adjustable diaphragmis expensive.

To simplify the problems connected with the selection of the properstop, an arm or plate 134 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 136, which ismounted for rotation in an opening in the front wall 16, see FIGS. and20. If shaft 136 extends completely through the front wall, its innerend may serve as a pivot bearing for shutter 93. A knob 138 is rigidlysecured to the outer end of shaft 136 for convenient rotation of theplate 134 for reasons to be described below. The frictional contactbetween shaft 136 and the opening in front wall 16 is suflicient toretain plate 134 in various suitable rotative positions.

A disk 14th is pivotally mounted on the upper end of plate 134, seeFIGS. 5 and 20. This disk is provided with a plurality of differentsized circular openings 142, which are disposed in a circle equi-distantfrom the axis of the disk. Each opening corresponds to a particular stopsize for the lens 88. The cylindrical tubular barrel 89, in which thelens 88 is mounted, is provided with a groove 144 extending partiallytherethrough. When the plate 134 is in a vertical position, as shown inFIG. 20, a substantial portion of the disk will be in the groove 144,see FIG. 5. The openings 142 in the disk 140 are so positioned that whenplate 134 is in the position shown in FIGS. 5 or 20, the disk can bemanually rotated so that each of the openings 142 can be concentric withthe tubular housing 39 and the lens 88. This arrangement, which issimilar to a conventional Waterhouse stop, permits the stop of the lens88 to be determined by the size of one of the openings 142, which isconcentric with it.

For normal operation, a particular opening 142, corresponding to a stopcorrect for standardized operating conditions is positioned so it isconcentric with lens 88. Changes in the sensitivity of the film, or thetemperature or the age of the developing solution can be compensated forby rotating disk 140 so a larger or smaller opening is centered over thelens 88, depending upon the particular operating conditions.

In operation, experience with the photographic machine will dictatewhich opening 142 will supply the correct stop. In composition work,knob 138 may be grasped and rotated far enough so disk 140 is movedcompletely out of the groove 144 in the tubular housing 89. This permitsa. maximum amount of light to enter housing 12 and brightens theprojected image to its maximum so it can be inspected easily. Then theknob 138 is rotated in the opposite direction, which causes the disk141i carried by the plate 134 to move so the disk 14-0 re-enters thetubular housing 89. When this happens the same opening 142 will again beconcentric with lens 88 so that the stop of the lens will be exactly thesame as it was initially. Conventional means (not shown) are provided toprevent the disk from freely rotating on plate 134 unless it is manuallyturned.

The table 24 with its object supporting surface or object plane 25provides a compact way of achieving the necessary high intensity anduniform illumination of any object placed thereon. As seen in FIG. 5,the light or object table 24 comprises a housing in which a single lamp146 is mounted. The lamp is positioned centrally beneath surface 25, seeFIG. 4. Fresnel lenses 148 and 1513 are mounted on each side of the lampfor directing the light in opposite directions into the folded opticalpaths 152 and 154. Each folded optical path consists of reflectingmirrors 156 and 158. As seen, mirrors 158 are mounted at the exit ofeach folded optical path and are disposed above and inclined'towardsurface 25. With this arrangement, the light is reflected off mirrors158 and onto surface 25 as it leaves the optical paths 152 and 154.Since the path length is long, although folded for compactness, theillumination on surface 25 will be uniform and bright as if it wereilluminated by the conventional two separate flood lights mounted on theends of long arms.on either side of the table.

The heat developed by lamp 146 may damage the lenses or the reflectingmirrors or any object placed on surface 25. Consequently it must bedissipated. To do this, a bolwer 161i is mounted inside the housing oftable 24, see FIG. 5. This blower blows the air heated by lamp 146 outof the housing through the exit opening 162. The air forced out throughthe opening 162 causes cooler air to be drawn into the housing throughoptical paths 152 and 154. This air cools all the components of thelight table, thus giving these folded optical paths a dual function.

As stated above, the apparatus is designed to magnify or reduce theprojected image of an object on table 24 and when the apparatus is usedfor photographic purposes it is desirable that the size of the filmcorrespond generally to the size of the projected image on the imageplane 67. It would be best for reasons of economy to purchase the filmor light sensitive paper in a roll, and then cut it to size inaccordance with the size of the desired image on surface 67 of table 66.To eliminate the need for a dark room, and the separate handlingentailed thereby, the entire roll of film should be mounted insidelength of film off the roll, out it, and center it on table 66.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 16, a roll of film 164 is rotata- 1 bly mountedin a magazine or housing 166 which is removably mounted in the housing.This magazine is rectangular in shape and has an open top and is longenough so that ends 167 and rear wall 168 of the magazine engage theinner surface of walls 16, 18 and 22 of the housing 12, and are heldthereby snugly and removably in place. It is to be understood, however,that the precise method of holding the magazine 166 in its properposition is not critical and any suitable method may be used.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 16, the lower wall 170 is bent arcuately toprovide an exit opening 172 for the film. This lower wall 170 terminatesin a plurality of identical uniformly spaced spring fingers 1'74. Thehousing 166 is mounted inside housing 12 so that these spring fingerspress against surface 67 of table 66. The film 164 is initially drawnfar enough off the roll so its extreme edge may be pressed betweenspring fingers 174 and surface 67 of table 66, see FIGS. 7, 16 and 8a.At the same time the side edges of the film slide in marginal guides 171and 173 which are disposed on each side of the table 66, see FIG. 12.These guides are spaced above surface 67 of table 66 by means of shims175.

Horizontal guideways 176 and 178 are positioned on each side of table 66on top of the marginal guides, see FIGS. 6 and 12. These guideways areU-shaped in cross section and are positioned as shown. A film pushingunit indicated generally by the reference numeral 179, see FIG. 9,comprises a rectangular bar 180. This bar extends substantially thewidth of table 66 and its opposed ends are reduced in size and shaped toform oppositely extending cylindrical pintles 182, see FIG. 11. Thesepintles are rotatably journalled in openings formed in slide bars 184which are mounted inside guideways 176 and 178 in sliding engagementtherewith, see FIG. 8. This arrangement permits a limited rotation ofbar 180, see the dotted lines in FIG. 8.

Push fingers 186 formed from rubber or some similar material are mountedin uniformly spaced relation with respect to each other on bar 180, andthey are held in this spaced relation by means of spacers 188. Thesespacers are rectangular in cross section and fit over bar 180, see FIGS.8 and 9. The entire film pushing unit 179 is movable with slide bars 184riding in guideways 176 and 178 between the front and rear end portions69 and '71 of,

table 66, see FIG. 6. The limits of movement of the pushing unit aredetermined by front and rear stops 181 and 183 formed in guideways 176and 178, see FIGS. 6 and 8.

As seen in FIG. 8, these push fingers 186 are somewhat elongated incomparison to spacers 188, and the thickness of the push fingers and thespacers are designed to permit the pushing unit 179 to be moved towardmagazine 166 until the push fingers 1186 move between the spring fingers174 and into gripping engagement with the edge of the film 164, see FIG.11.

As stated above, and as seen in FIG. 8, the bar 180 and consequentlypush fingers 186 are designed to rotate or pivot slightly on pintles 182so that the push fingers may be withdrawn from engagement with the edgeof film 164. In this way pushing unit 179 can be moved without pullingor'pushing more film off the roll, see the dotted line positions of thepushing fingers 186 in FIG. 8.

V A hub 190 is mounted on each pintle 182, and a lever 192 is rigidlysecured to each hub, extending upwardly therefrom, see FIGS. 8 and 11.Oppositely extending cable gripping members 196 and 198 at each side ofthe table 66 are mounted at the upper end of each lever 192,

1?; seen FIGS. 9 and 15. These operate to releasably grip pulling cables200 and 202.

The cables which appear offset in FIG. 15, for purposes of illustration,are actually in vertically spaced parallel relationship, although thatis not critical. Cables 200 and 202 are both connected to a lever 204which is pivotally mounted on a pivot 207 secured to a semicircularsupport plate 205, see FIG. 6. This support plate is secured to thefront end 69 of table 66 by any conventional means (not shown), and itsperiphery is provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed andvertically spaced semicircular guide grooves 209, see FIG. 7. Cables 200and 202 are held in the fixed configuration shown in FIG. 15, by meansof these guide grooves 209 and by means of sheaves 211 and 213, whichare associated with cable 200, and by sheaves 215, 217 and 218, whichare associated with cable 202.

An inspection of lever 204 and the cables 200 and 202 along with thesheaves they ride over, shows that when lever 204 is pivoted in onedirection on axis 207, cables 200 and 202 pull each end of bar in onedirection, and when lever 204 is pivoted in the opposite directioncables 280 and 202 pull each end of bar 180 in the opposite direction.This provides the means for'moving pushing unit 179 between the frontand rear end portions of table 66.

Pivot pins 206 are rigidly secured to each slide bar 184 mounted insideguideways 176 and 178, and extend inwardly over table 66, see FIGS. 8and 11. Latch bar 208 is pivotally mounted on each pivot pin 206, andthis latch bar is urged in the counter clockwise direction, by means ofcoil springs 210. This causes latch bar 208 to rotate until its tip 212bears against the edge 214- of each lever 192, see the dotted lines inFIG. 8. This edge 214 of lever 192 is provided with a notch 216, andwhen cables 200 and 202 are urged in the direction indicated by thearrows in FIG. 8 (caused by rotating lever 204 in the counterclockwisedirection, as seen in FIG. 6), the entire pushing unit 179 includingeach lever 192 is pivoted from the dotted line position to the solidline position. As this happens, the tip 212 of latch 208 enters notch216 and this locks the pushing fingers 186 in their film pushingposition shown in solid lines in FIG. 8. This keeps the pushing fingerspressed against the film 164, even after the lever 204 is released.

An actuating finger (not shown) may be mounted on one or both of theguide members 176 and 178, adjacent stops 181 in the path of thelaterally projecting portion 213 of latch 208, to automatically forcethe tip 212 out of detent 216, when the pushing unit 179 is moved apredetermined distance toward the front end portion 69 of table 66, seeFIG. 11. When this happens, pushing unit 179 pivots so all the pushingfingers 186 move back to the dotted line position, as shown in FIG. 8.In this way, the film is released, so the pushing unit 179 can be movedwithout affecting the film 164, or so the film can be removed from themachine.

In operation to this point, lever 204- is rotated in the clockwisedirection (as seen in FIG. 6) until the pushing fingers 186 of thepushing unit 179 move to the rear end portion of table 66 and passbetween the spring fingers 174. Then when the lever 204 is rotated inthe opposite direction, cables 200 and 282, pulling on levers 192, seeFIG. 15, rotate the pushing fingers into gripping and pushing engagementwith the edge of the film. Continued rotation of lever 204 in the samedirection pulls the pushing unit and the edge of the film toward thefront edge portion 69 of table 66, gradually unwinding the film from theroll. This can continue until the slide bars 184 of the pushing unit 179engage stops 183 at the front end of the guideways 176 and 178, asdescribed. At this point, the pushing fingers 186 will have penetratedbetween the rollers 218, rigidly mounted on a motor driven shaft 220,see FIG. 6.

Rollers 218 do not operate until after the film is exposed, but whenthey do operate, they draw the film oif table 66 and into a developingtank, as described below. A gear 222 is rigidly mounted on the end ofshaft 220, see FIG. 6, and this gear meshes with a driving gear 224, seeFIG. 7. Gear 224 is connected to a motor 226 mounted on a developingtank, by means of a conventional gear train (not shown).

To this point, the pushing unit 179 has been described as a device forpulling a length of film from a roll. In addition, it is necessary toprovide means for cutting various lengths of film from the roll, andthese lengths must then be positioned on table 66 so that the exposedportions of the film will be properly centered.

The device for cutting the film off the roll, in this par ticularembodiment, comprises a slot 228 extending through table 66, see FIG.8a. A hard steel bar 230 is mounted in a recess in the surface 67 of thetable 66, and an edge surface 232 of this bar is coextensive with theedge of the slot, and provides a shear or cutting support surface for acutting blade. The bar 250 rests on the top surface of a U-shapedguideway 236 which extends the width of table 66 and is mounted in arecess therein by any conventional means (not shown).

The movable cutting unit, indicated generally by the reference numeral238, see FIG. 10, comprises a U- shaped support plate 240. Roller wheels242 and 244 are secured to each arm of the support plate, and a cut tingblade 245 is rigidly secured to one side of the plate as shown. As seenin FIG. 8, roller Wheel 2 42 ridesin guideway 236, and the separation ofthe arms of support 240, and the diameter of the roller wheels is suchthat the roller wheel 242 rolls on the upper inner surface of guideway236, and pulls roller wheel 244 down on surface 67' of table 66. A cable246 is connected to a hub 248 which is secured to the axle of wheel 242,see FIGS. 8 and 15. In this way, by pulling on cable 246, the cuttingunit 238' can be drawn back and forth in slot 228.

When the cutting unit 238 is operated it is drawn by cable 246 in thedirection indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10. Roller wheel 244 which is alittle in advance of the cutting edge of blade 245 acts to press thefilm firmly against the top surface of supporting bar 230. This preventsthe film from bunching up in front of the knife which could interferewith the cutting action. In addition roller wheel 244 holds the cuttingblade in the proper cutting attitude. Cable 246 rides over sheaves orpulley wheels 250 positioned beneath each side of table 66 and rides inone of the guide grooves 269 formed in the periphery of thesemi-circularsupport plate 205. This maintains cable 246 in its fixedconfiguration, see FIGS. 6, 7, l1 and 15. A lever 252 is also pivotallymounted on support plate 265' on pivot 297, and the cable 246 is securedto the outer end of this lever. With this arrange ment, rotating lever252 in one direction or another causes the cutting unit 238 to be drawnback and forth in slot 228 across the width of table 66 thereby cuttingany film extending across slot 228. It is to be understood, that theprecise method employed in cutting the film or sensitized paper is notcritical, and other arrangements are contemplated.

The manipulation of the film prior to cutting requires lever 204 tofirst be rotated so that the pushing unit 179 moves into engagement withthe edge of the film 164, which is pressed between spring fingers 174and surface 67 of table 66 When the motion oflever 204 is reversed, itdraws the film off the roll until the proper length has been unrolled.Next, lever 252 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as shownin FIG. 6, drawing cutting blade 245 in cutting unit 238 across the filmand cutting it. Next, lever 252 is rotated back in the reversedirection, returning the cutting unit 238 to its initial position.

The length of the film 164 drawn off the roll is precisely controlled bythe slide 254 mounted on the lever 204, see FIG. 6. This slide comprisesa tubular portion 256 and an arm 258 rigidly secured thereto. Aninwardly extending detent 260 is formed on the tubular portion 256 ofslide 254, and this detent cooperates with and is adapted to enter oneof three film size regulating recesses 262 formed in lever 264. Theserecesses precisely position slide 254 on the lever 204 in threepredetermined radially spaced distances from the pivotal axis 207 oflever 264, see FIG. 6. In addition, an inwardly extending detent 264riding on the surface of support plate 25 is formed on arm 258.

Detent receiving recesses are formed in the surface of plate 205 forreceiving detent 264. Recess 266 in plate 265 is positioned at a radialdistance from axis 207 of lever 204, which is equal to the radialdistance of detent 264 from axis 207, when detent 260 on slide 254penetrates the recess 262 on lever 204 which is farthest from axis 267.With this arrangement, it is evident that when the lever 264 is rotatedor pivoted through a sufficient angle, in the counterclockwise direction(as seen in FIG. 6), with slide 254 positioned as shown, detent 264 willenter recess 266 providing a signal. Recess 266 is positioned so theangle through which lever 264 must be rotated from its initial position,Where the pushing unit 179 engages the edge of film 164 when it is heldbeneath spring fingers 174, to its final position where detent 264enters recess 266, is sufficient to draw the edge of film 164 out fromthe spring fingers 174 and unroll the film until its edge is positionedbeneath rollers 218. Then the film is ready to be cut by the abovedescribed manipulation of lever 252. When the film is cut, the piece offilm is the largest which this particular machine can accommodate, i.e.17 inches in length. In addition, without any further adjustment, thefilm will be properly centered.

Recesses 268 and 276 in plate 205 are positioned at a radial distancefrom pivot axis 207, which is equal to the radial distance of detent 264from this axis when detent 266 on slide 254 engages the intermediaterecess 262 on lever 264. Recess 268 is positioned so that the anglethrough which lever 264 must be rotated from its initial position towhere detent 264 enters recess 268 causes a length of film to beunrolled which is exactly equal to the desired intermediate film size,i.e. 14 inches.

Next lever 252 is operated as described above to cut this length of filmoff the roll. It is noted, however, that when the film has been cut, itis still not centered on the table 66 because its rear edge is nearerthe rear end portion 71 of table 66 than its front edge is to the frontend portion 69 of table 66. Consequently, the film must be advancedtoward the front of the table 66 before it will be centered and thedistance the film must be advanced is What determines the position ofrecess 270. After the film has been cut, lever 264 is rotated in thesame direction until detent 264 enters recess 276. As stated above, thisdraws the front edge of the film forwardly by an amount sufiicient tocenter the film on table 66.

Recesses 272 and 274 on plate 205 are positioned at a radial distancefrom axis 207 which is equal to the radial distance of detent 264 fromthis axis when detent 260 on slide 254 enters the innermost recess 262on lever 254. Detent 272 is positioned so that the angle through whichlever 204 must be rotated from its initial position to where detent 264enters recess 272 is equal to the desired shortest length of the film tobe used, i.e. approximately 10 inches. After the edge of the film isadvanced to where detent 264 enters recess 272 it is cut off from theroll, but the cut film is still not centered. To be centered, the cutfilm must be moved forwardly a certain distance, as explained above.This requires a continued rotation of lever 204 in the same direction.The distance the film has to be moved forwardly before the film iscentered is what determines the location of recess 274.

To this point, it can be seen that the pushing unit 179, the cuttingunit 238, the cables 2% and 202, the support plate 205, and levers 264and 252 constitute a device for choosing one of three different filmsizes, and cutting the light sensitive materials.

araaoer correct selected film size off of a roll of film, and thencentering the cut film on table 66-. It is noted that these operationscan be done in the absence of visual observations, which is of theutmost importance in dealing with It is also evident that the principlesdisclosed in this device can be used to both cut and center any numberof additional film sizes. Furthermore other means e.g., electronicdevices besides the detent recess arrangement disclosed may be used assignals to position and center the film and the claims should beconstrued accordingly.

The roll of film mounted inside the machine 16 is supplied in aspecially designed sealed package 276, which may be formed from stiffopaque paper or fiberboard. In this particular embodiment, the packageis rectangular in shape and is sized to fit inside the correspondinglyshaped magazine 166, see FIGS. 17 and 18. The roll of film is woundaround a tubular cylindrical core 278, which may also be made offiberboard or some similar material. As seen in FIG. 18, a temporary andremovable closure 23th closes off the ends of the tubular core 278 toprovide a light tight and dust proof seal, until the roll of film isready to be installed inside the machine It In addition, as seen in FIG.19, a removable closure flap 281. is secured to an adjacent side 279 ofpackage 276 by any conventional means, such as gluing. A leader 283 forthe film 164 may be secured to this flap. With this arrangement, to openthe package, it is only necessary to pull the flap 281 until itseparates from the side of the package, and then the flap 281 must bepulled away from the leader 283, see FIG. 19. V

The magazine 166 is provided with two support plates 282 which in thisparticular embodiment, are rectangular in shape and correspond generallyto the size of the side of magazine 166, or the side of the package 276,although this is not critical. A roller wheel 234 is rotatably mountedon one surface of each support plate 282 by any conventional means. Tomount the package of film in the machine, it is necessary to first pressthe rollers 284 against the removable closures 230, on each side ofpackage 276, until these rollers are forced inside, as seen in FIG. 18.Next the package 276 with the roller inside the core, is mounted insidemagazine 166, as shown in FIG. 16. As seen in FIG. 17, the radius of theroll of film 164 is less than the distance between the upper peripheryof roller wheel 284 and the bottom edge of support plate 282. Thiscauses the roll of film to be supported on the roller Wheels 284 asshown, so the roll of film will rotate easily to permit the desiredlengths of film to be unrolled. It is evident that this particulararrangement is very useful because the roll of film can be packaged veryinexpensively, and the single pair of Wheels 284 are used for each rollof film, further reducing the cost of the film package. Furthermore, thechance for inadvertently exposing the roll of film while it is beinginstalled inside the machine is substantially reduced.

A developing tank 286, see FIG. 7, is designed to be attached to thephotographic machine housing 12, for limited horizontal movement, asindicated by the arrows. A deflecting plate 283 is rigidly mounted onthe front of table 66 by any conventional means. This plate is sopositioned that when the drive rollers 222 are operating, and when thedeveloping tank 286 is in its operating position, any section of filmengaged by the drive rollers Will be moved off table 66 and intoengagement with the deflecting plate 288, where it will be deflectedinto the developing tank 286.

Developing tank 286 is designed to develop negative sheets employed inthe transfer fusion process, so that it is necessary to permit theentrance of the combined or positive sheets, as well as the negativesheets, as is well known in the art. This has been done by extending aportion of the deflecting plate 288 up above table 66 so that it is inspaced parallel relationship with a plate 290 It? mounted on themachine. Plates 288 and 290 define a guideway 292 for receiving thesecombined sheets and for leading them to a second entrance in thedeveloping tank, as shown.

Drive roller 294 and idler roller 296 are positioned in abuttingrelationship at the base of the guideway 292, as shown in FIG. 7. Driveroller 294 is connected to and driven by motor 226 by a conventionalgear train (not shown) so that the operation of the motor 226 drivesrollers 294 and 296, as well as rollers 222 and 224. With thisarrangement, when a combined sheet used for the transfer fusion processis inserted in guideway 292,

it will gravitate down until it encounters rollers 294 and.

296, where it will be stopped until these rollers are operated. At thesame time, the operation of the pushing unit 179 will insert the forwardedge of the exposed cut negative sheet beneath rollers 222. Then whenmotor 226 is operated, both the negative sheet and the combined sheetwill be drawn by their respective rollers through the developing tank286.

Since the rollers are actuated simultaneously, and since the path lengththrough the developing tank is the same for both sheets, they will moveat a constant speed and in synchronization with each other and willsimultaneously encounter the combining rollers 298 and 300 which arealso driven by motor 226, see the dotted lines extending through thedeveloping tank 286. the negative sheet and combined sheet will passthrough the combining rollers 298 and 390 in coextensive relationship sothe image on the negative sheet will be transferred to the combinedsheet in a manner well known in the art. As descibed below, motor 226,once actuated will operate for a time sufiicient to permit both thenegative and the combined sheets to pass through the developing tank 286and out through the combining rollers 298 and 360.

An additional developing tank 362 is mounted below table 66 for adifferent photographic process. An arcuate deflecting plate 304 isrigidly connected to the developing tank 286, and when it is desired touse a photographic process requiring developing tank 362, the transferfusion developing tank 286 is moved as shown in dotted lines in' FIG. 7.When this happens the deflecting plate 304 moves to a position shown indotted lines where it will deflect the film moved by roller 222 intotank 302.

The photographic machine can also use the Well known half tonephotographic process. As seen in FIG. 5, a frame 306 is composed of rodsassembled to form a rectangular loop, although the shape is notcritical. This frame is pivotally mounted inside housing 12 on a pivotaxis 308, by any conventional means. A half tone screen 310, isconnected to frame 366 by chains 312 in such a way that when frame 306is pivoted horizontally the half tone screen will be suspendedhorizontally below this frame in an operative position. This arrangementpermits the half tone screen 310 to be pivoted to a vertical out of theway inoperative position when the half tone process is not being used.

When the half tone screen is horizontal or in its operative position,the required spacing 314 between surface 67 of table 66, and half tonescreen 310 is a function of the magnification of the image. Since thismachine is designed so that all the adjustments are to be as automaticas possible, a mechanism is required for automatically varying spacing314 in accordance with the magnification of the image or the position oftable 66.

The mechanism for varying this spacing, as shown in this particularembodiment, includes a disk shaped cam plate 316 which is centrally andpivotally mounted below table 66 on pivot 318, see FIGS. 5 and 22. Threearcuate downwardly inclined cam surfaces 320 are stamped out of cam disk316 as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. These cam surfaces 320 engage andcooperate with the base, of three lifting pins 322 which are mounted forIn this way vertical movement in holes 324 which extend through thetable 66, see FIG. 23. The top ends 326 of pins 322 are adapted toengage and lift the half tone screen 310 as shown by the dotted lines.With this arrangement, it is evident that rotation of disk 316 willcause pins 322 to rise or fall, and the spacing 314 to increase ordecrease, depending on the direction of rotation of the disk.

It is necessary to correlate the angular rotation of the disk 316, andhence the size of spacing 314, with the magnification of the projectedimage and hence the position of table 66. To do this, an additionalinclined cam rod 328 is pivotally mounted in housing 12 and is movablebetween an inoperative position and an upwardly inclined operativeposition by any conventional means (not shown), see FIG. 25. .One end ofan actuating rod 330 is pivotally mounted near the periphery of the diskon pivot 332 as shown in FIG. 22. A cam riding wheel 334 is mounted onthe opposite end of rod 330 and this wheel is in rolling engagement withthe cam surface of cam rod 328 when cam rod 328 is in its operativeposition, see FIG. 25. A coil spring 336 is connected at one end to theperiphery of disk 316 and at the other end to some fixed point movablewith table 66 in order to bias the disk so that follower wheel 334always is in engagement with the cam surface of cam rod 328.

With this arrangement, as table 66 moves up or down, the follower wheel334 will stay in rolling contact with the surface of cam rod 328 and thedirection of rotation of disk 316 will depend on the direction ofmovement of table. It is evident that the shape of cam rod 328 and camsurfaces 320 can be chosen so that the rotation of disk 316 will raisepins 322 by an amount such that the half tone screen 310 will always bekept the correct distance from the surface 67 of table 66, for theparticular magnification of the projected image.

As seen in FIG. 5, the half tone screen 310 is smaller in width thantable 66 and so it would be economical to use a sensitized paper whosewidth corresponds to the half tone screen size. In addition, the devicefor cutting and centering the film results in three different filmlengths, all of the same width. If the photographic machine weredesigned to dispense film having even one other alternate smaller width,six different film sizes could be used. This requires an additional pairof marginal guides 338 and 340 to be centrally disposed between thesides of table 66, as shown in FIG. 6. These guides are mounted forlimited vertical movement, and are angle shaped as shown in FIG. 12.

When not in use the top surface of these additional marginal guides isflush with the top surface 67 of table 66. When film having a smallerthan normal Width is used, these marginal guides are raised sufficientlyby any conventional means (not shown), to permit the edges of the filmto pass beneath them. The guides may be locked in the raised position bymeans of pins 342 mounted inside table 66, and which ride in slots 344formed in the marginal guides, as shown in FIG. 24. It is to beunderstood, however, that the precise method of holding the marginalguides in their operating position shown is not critical and others arecontemplated and may be used.

One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a photographicmachine which is as nearly automatic in operation as possible. To dothis the illustrated electrical control circuit for this machine usesonly four control switches, see FIG. 1. Switch 346 is connected to thelamp 146 and the fan 1'60 inside table 24 to control their operation.Switch 348, the up switch, is connected to motor 56 by a particularcircuit, and it controls motor 56 so that it rotates drive shaft 50 in adirection which raises table 24. Switch 350, the down switch, isconnected to motor 56 by another circuit and controls the operation ofthe motor so shaft 50 rotates in the opposite direction, which lowerstable 24. Limit switches 121 and 123 are associated with the circuitscontrolled by switches 348 and 350 respectively, and when either ofthese switches are opened by the engagement of arms 117 on rack bar 114with their respective operating members, as table 24 reaches its upperor lower limit, the circuit associated with the opened limit switch willcut off the power to motor 56. This prevents further movement of thetables 24 and 66 in the same direction, but it is understood that theother circuit can operate the motor in the reverse direction.

Switch 352 when momentarily closed, closes a conventional holdingcircuit which causes motor 122 to operate for a predetermined time,usually for the time required for disk 126 tomake one completerevolution. This causesthe solenoid 108 connected to shutter blade 98 tobe energized and causes the shutter to open lens 88 for the requiredperiod of time, as described above.

All of the circuits .connected to these various switchesare simple andconventional in operation, and vsince their design is not critical, theyhave not been shown.

To operate the photographic machine, the particular photographic processto be used is first selected, e.g., the transfer fusion process, and thetiming cam plate 128 corresponding to this process is mounted on the topsurface of timer disk 1261 Then the object to be reproduced orphotographed is laid on table 24 and switch 346 is ;then ,closed toilluminate table 24 and to start the fan 160. Next shutter blade '28 .ismoved-out of its light obstructing position, by manually operating alever (not shown), or by temporarily energizing solenoid 108. After thatthe sector plate 134 may be manually pivoted so disk 1,40 movescompletely out of the path of light entering :-lens.8,8 so that thebrightness of the projected image on is pivoted back until the correctstop opening in disk moves back into a position concentric with and inthe lens barrel89.

After that lever 204 is rotated in the counter clockwise direction, asseen in FIG. 6 until a length of film of the selected size is unrolled.Next lever 252 is operated to cut the film. After that lever 204 isagain advanced in the same direction to center the cut film as describedabove. Then switch 352 is operated to automatically expose the cut andcentered film the proper length of time.

After exposure is completed, lever 204 is again advanced in the samedirection to move the exposed fihn into engagement with the rollerwheels 218. After that lever 204 is rotated in the opposite direction toreturn the pushing unit 179 back into engagement with the edge of thefilm 164 beneath magazine 166. In so doing a miniature switch 221 ismomentarily closed, see FIG. 6. This switch triggers a conventionalholding circuit (not shown), which operates motor 226 for a period oftime sufiicient to move the exposed film through the developing tank, asdescribed above.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without'departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof as set forth in the claims,and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrativeand not restrictive and it is intended to include all changes which comewithin the scope and range of the claims.

I claim:

1. An auto-focus photocopy device comprising:

a support;

an object table mounted on said support for vertical movement;

an image table mounted on said support'for vertical movement on a pathparallel to the path of said object table v v a fixed objective lenshorizontally'mounted on said support above and between said object andimage tables;

an inclined fixed mirror above each of said tables establishing an opticaxis from table to table through said lens; and

table actuating means mounted on said support and linking said objectand image tables together for coordinated relative movement in the samedirection along said optic axis whereby an image of an object on saidobject table is maintained in focus on said image table during change inmagnification through a range of positive and negative values.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said table actuating meanscomprises:

a rotatable shaft mounted on said support;

a pair of spiral-like cam sheaves rigidly mounted on said rotatableshaft; and

a first cable extending between said object table and the track of oneof said cam sheaves and a second cable extending between said imagetable and the track of the other of said cam sheaves whereby rotation ofsaid shaft in either direction moves said tables along said optic axis,maintaining focus and varying the magnification.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said first cable is connected tosaid object table in adjustable manner whereby the position of saidobject table along said optic axis may be moved independently of saidimage table to compensate for object thickness.

4. The combinationof claim 1 with the addition of:

a light-tight housing mounted on said support and enclosing saidimagetable and the travel path thereof, said housing having an openingtherein permitting access to said image table at all positions on itstravel path whereby the front side of an image on said image table maybe inspected and composed with reference to a layout on said imagetable; and

a light-tight closure for'said opening whereby photosensitive materialon said image table may be exposed to light from said lens and objecttable.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said light-tight closurecomprises:

an opaque flexible curtain adapted to wind on a roller mounted on saidsupport at the top of said opening; and

fastening means releasably connecting the free end of said curtain tosaid image table.

6. An auto-focus photocopy device comprising:

' a support;

an object table mounted on said support for vertical movement;

an image table mounted on said support for vertical movement on a pathparallel to the path of said object table;

a fixed objective lens horizontally mounted on said support above andbetween said object and image tables;

an inclined fixed mirror above each of said tables establishing an opticaxis from table to table through said lens;

a rotatable shaft mounted on said support;

a pair of spiral-like cam sheaves rigidly mounted on said rotatableshaft;

a first cable extending between said object table and the track of oneof said cam sheaves and a second cable extending between said imagetable and the track of the other of said cam sheaves, whereby rotationof said shaft in either direction moves said tables along said opticaxis, maintaining focus and varying the magnification;

a shutter for said lens; and

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said shutter actuating meanscomprises:

a bar mounted for longitudinal movement in said support;

means moving said bar in response to rotation of said shaft whereby barposition in a function of magnification value;

an electrical switch mounted on said bar, said switc having a camfollower adapted to close and open said switch when displaced; v I

a rotating cam having a pair of spaced cam shoulders in effectiverelation with said cam follower, each cam shoulder adapted to displacesaid cam follower, the spacing of said cam shoulders engaged by said camfollower varying depending on the longitudinal position of said bar; and

a shutter-actuating solenoid in circuit with said switch, whereby thespacing of the cam shoulders engaged by said cam followers determinesthe exposure period of said shutter.

8. An auto-focus photocopy device comprising:

a support;

an object table mounted on said support for vertical movement;

an image table mounted on said support for vertical movement on a pathparallel to the path of said object table; 7 I

a fixed objective lens horizontally mounted on said support above andbetween said object and image tables;

an inclined fixed mirror above each of said tables establishing an opticaxis from table to table through said lens;

table actuating means linking said object and image tables together forcoordinated relative movement whereby an image of an object on saidobject table is maintained in focus on said image table during change inmagnification through a range of positive and negative values;

a half tone screen disposed above said image table;

and means responsive to optic axis distance between said lense and saidimage table establishing proper spacing between said half tone screenand said image table, said responsive means including:

a cam member rotatably mounted on said image table below the imageplane, said cam member having a plurality of angularly spaced upwardlyfacing inclined cam surfaces;

a supporting pin engaging each cam surface and extending upwardly beyondthe image plane into engagement with said half tone screen; and

cam means rotating said cam member in accordance With movement of saidimage table, whereby said half tone screen is spaced properly from theimage table by said supporting pins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,844,179 Rennick Feb. 9, 1932 1,985,074 Bauersfeld Dec. 18, 19342,344,372 Siskstrom Mar. 14, 1944- 2,431,612 Furnas Nov. 25, 1947'2,437,898 Swanson Mar. 16, 1948 2,496,675 Pasquet Feb. 7, 1950 2,536,718Brandon Jan. 2, 1951, 2,564,934 Sussin Aug. 21, 1951' 2,645,543 ManciniJuly 14, 1953 2,652,759 Bornemann Sept. 22, 1953,

(Other references on following page) 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS PenningtonOct. 20, 1953 Tuttle et a1 Jan. 12, 1954 Burnstead Mar. 30, 1954Schwesinger Mar. 22, 1955 Smith Sept. 6, 1955 Tuttle Dec. 20, 1955Schwesinger Jan. 10, 1956 Uschmann Sept. 11, 1956 Austin Apr. 23, 195710 22 Gannett Feb. 18, 1958 Rosin Sept. 16, 1958 Hennig July 14, 1959Zollinger Mar. 8, 1960 Alves May 31, 1960 Rosenthal June 14, 1960Anander July 3, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Sept. 2, 1932

1. AN AUTO-FOCUS PHOTOCOPY DEVICE COMPRISING: A SUPPORT; AN OBJECT TABLEMOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT; AN IMAGE TABLE MOUNTED ONSAID SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT ON A PATH PARALLEL TO THE PATH OFSAID OBJECT TABLE; A FIXED OBJECTIVE LENS HORIZONTALLY MOUNTED ON SAIDSUPPORT ABOVE AND BETWEEN SAID OBJECT AND IMAGE TABLES; AN INCLINEDFIXED MIRROR ABOVE EACH OF SAID TABLES ESTABLISHING AN OPTIC AXIS FROMTABLE TO TABLE THROUGH SAID LENS; AND TABLE ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED ONSAID SUPPORT AND LINKING SAID OBJECT AND IMAGE TABLES TOGETHER FORCOORDINATED RELATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE SAME DIRECTION